The smell of chlorine, the warmth from the hot sun rays, the screaming of kids playing, and the sound of the ice cream truck… it must be summertime! The kids are out of school, our schedules lighten up, and some of the lucky ones get to take vacations. The last thing you are probably thinking about is the upcoming school year. Most parents think to book the annual check-up appointment to track health, growth, and possibly immunizations. Or if the kids are not due over the summer time, a “physical” is necessary for athletes to in order to be cleared to play sports for the upcoming school year. However, forgetting to schedule the semi-annual dental appointment is often missed. Keeping your babies, toddlers, kids, pre-teens, and teenagers on a regular 6-month preventive care schedule is very important for their oral health. Keeping these kiddos on a regular 6-month schedule will help keep plaque and bacteria from accumulating and calcifying into tartar build-up. Tartar build-up can turn into cavities or gum disease. Your hygienist will also polish those pretty teeth giving the kiddos a nice bright smile to enjoy for the next six months.
The 6-month preventive care appointment allows your dentist to examine your child’s mouth in order to catch any cavities early. Your child’s dentist and hygienist will also check their bite. Dr. Hahn and Dr. Driscoll will and perform an orthodontic screening at every visit. If orthodontic problems are caught early, they are much easier to treat. In most cases, tooth extractions and jaw surgery can be avoided if problems are caught early enough. If x-rays are necessary, they will be taken at this appointment. Rhoades Family Dentistry uses digital x-rays. Digital x-rays are up 90% lower in radiation than the old films. They are quicker to develop, and the clearer to read.
If your kiddo is due for their semi-annual preventive care appointment – get them on the schedule this summer. There are many benefits to scheduling summer appointments.
- Avoid the back-to-school rush!
- They won’t have to miss any school.
- If they need any treatment, there will be plenty of time to schedule it before school starts. This again is a benefit because they will avoiding missing school, activities, and sports.
- If something is brewing inside those little mouths, we can catch it before it is too late. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports show that dental caries (cavities) are the #1 chronic disease in our children. According to American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Cavities are five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever. They also state more than 40% of children have tooth decay before they reach kindergarten.
- If your kids are needing braces, summer is the best time to get braces on. They can have the entire summer break to adjust to their new smile. Don’t forget they can spend the entire summer getting used to taking the extra time to brush after every meal.
Even though cavities the #1 chronic disease in our children, the good news is that cavities are almost 100% preventable! You can help your kids prevent dental disease along with the help of Dr. Hahn and Dr. Driscoll.
- At home you can make sure your kids are maintaining good oral hygiene by brushing at least two times a day. The best times to brush are after breakfast and before bed. Make sure they are using a soft bristle toothbrush and brushing for at least 2 minutes.
- FLOSS – Yes, I said floss! We know most adults struggle with flossing. We also realize that most kids forget this VERY important preventative step.
- Also make sure they are brushing their tongue. That will help keep their breath nice and fresh and remove the bacteria that love to live on the tongue.
- A healthy diet is also key element for avoiding dental disease. If they eat or drink anything that is sticky or high in sugar, make sure they brush right after.
- Lastly, schedule your 6-month preventive care appointments so we can make sure the plaque and bacteria stay away.
Prevention is the healthiest and most cost-effective way to keep your kids’ oral health at its best. Make sure your babies, toddlers, kids, pre-teens, and teenagers get in to Rhoades Family Dentistry every six months in order to prevent oral decay and get an A+ on their oral health! If your child is due for their preventive care appointment, call the office today so we can help find a day and time that is convenient for you. Summers are a great time to get any dental treatment scheduled. If your child needs braces – get ’em on over the summer break. A mouth full of metal takes some getting used to. If they are needing Invisalign, the plastic aligners are comfortable, but they too will need some time to adjust to. Give kids plenty of time to get a good brushing routine established after each meal.
Call the office today – Summer appointments are a great way to avoid the back-to-school rush!
